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Ukraine crisis: Russian president Vladimir Putin claims he could 'take Kiev in two weeks' | |
(1 day later) | |
The Kremlin has confirmed president Vladimir Putin said he could "take Kiev in two weeks”, in remarks made to the outgoing president of the European commission. | |
However, a Russian official this morning complained Mr Barroso had breached confidentiality when he quoted Mr Putin, saying the statement was "quoted out of context and carried a completely different meaning". | |
Mr Putin said to Jose Manuel Barroso, who then passed the Russian leader’s remarks on to European leaders at the Nato summit over the weekend, “If I want, I take Kiev in two weeks". | |
Mr Barroso allegedly revealed Mr Putin’s threat after Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko, who yesterday accused Russia of “direct and undisguised aggression”, had left the summit table. | |
As tension increases in the region, Nato has said they will form a 4,000 strong spearhead force to go into action in 48 hours in response to Russian aggression in Ukraine. | As tension increases in the region, Nato has said they will form a 4,000 strong spearhead force to go into action in 48 hours in response to Russian aggression in Ukraine. |
At a pre-summit news conference, Nato secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen said alliance officials have drafted a detailed plan that "responds to Russia's aggressive behaviour" but also equips Nato to respond to all security challenges, wherever they may arise. | At a pre-summit news conference, Nato secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen said alliance officials have drafted a detailed plan that "responds to Russia's aggressive behaviour" but also equips Nato to respond to all security challenges, wherever they may arise. |
Mr Ramussen said the forces would be equipped to “travel light, but strike hard”. | Mr Ramussen said the forces would be equipped to “travel light, but strike hard”. |
Nonetheless, Frederica Mogherini, the EU’s new heady of foreign policy, warned there was no military solution for what is now Europe’s biggest crisis in decades. | Nonetheless, Frederica Mogherini, the EU’s new heady of foreign policy, warned there was no military solution for what is now Europe’s biggest crisis in decades. |
Mr Barroso claims Mr Putin first made the remarks in a telephone conversation held on 29 August, when Mr Barroso held the Russian president responsible for the military action of the separatists in Ukraine. | Mr Barroso claims Mr Putin first made the remarks in a telephone conversation held on 29 August, when Mr Barroso held the Russian president responsible for the military action of the separatists in Ukraine. |
Mr Putin interrupted saying: “The issue is not this. If I want, I can take Kiev in two weeks”. | |
Additional reporting by PA |
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